Access to Justice Foundation Meeting

August 1, 2025, 12:00 p.m. via Zoom


Agenda & Materials



    1. Welcome and Introductions – Mr. Cliff McKinney
    2. Business Items – Mr. McKinney
    3. Executive Committee Report – Mr. McKinney (for information)
      • Resolution appointing Frank Cardoza and Deepali Lal to the Finance Committee
    4. Finance Committee Report – Ms. Hillis Schild
      • Approval of financial reports: May and June
      • Approval of recommendation to add $500,000 to the endowment at Arkansas Community Foundation and $500,000 to Stephens, to be invested in CDs.
    5. Governance Committee Report
      • Audit and 990 review – Mr. Patrick Hall
      • Copy of 990 and Audit pending
    6. Scholarship Committee Report – Ms. Tabitha Lee (for information)
    7. Executive Director Report – Ms. Brenneman
      • IOLTA case pending
      • Arlawhelp.org webmaster position
      • Kickoff
        • Joint Fundraising Committee conducted first meeting
        • Venue: The Sanctuary at Argenta
        • Date: Friday October 3, 6-9pm.
        • Theme: “Beyond the Courthouse” is a reminder that our duty doesn’t end at the courtroom door. It means strengthening the system, expanding access, mentoring others, advocating for funding, and showing up, together.
        • Plan to provide more activities and increase revenue.
        • Event Planner: Events on the Rocks
        • Sponsorships
          • Justice Champion – $2,500
          • Advocate – $1,000
          • Supporter – $500
        • Ticket Prices: General Admission $80; student ticket $20
        • Nomination link is up! Please go nominate and ask your colleagues to do the same. AA2J.org/nominate
        • A match of funds raised though the Kickoff
    8. IOLTA Report – Ms. Tameka Parker
      • There are 37 total IOLTA preferred banks that pay the current preferred rate of 2.70% or higher (5 of those are higher).
      • Preferred List
      • IOLTA Trends
    9. Program Report – Ms. Megan Douglas (for information)
      • Interactive Pro Se Forms
        • Testing conducted on Unlawful Detainer Answer and Objection
        • 8 people tested the answer form on paper at Circles NWA. Testers struggled with legal terminology. Based on feedback, we adjusted instructions.
        • Kalua has completed the basic interactive version. It is now on Gavel.  The paper form can be found here: pdf link.
        • Next up: Adding the landlord’s Unlawful Detainer forms to Gavel: ETA by end of August.
      • POWER Act took place July 18th: 36 people attended in person and 129 attended online.
      • CLEs
        • August 22nd – Behind the Bench with Judge Connors: Custody
        • September – Naturalization in Practice: Tests, Waivers, and Overcoming Challenges (dates and full panel pending)
        • October, November, December topics have been selected and potential speakers identified (details still pending)
      • Kiosks
        • Poinsett County: 2 “installed” in Harrisburg and Marked Tree libraries – created an icon they click on and it opens up its own separate window (signs were distributed)
        • Pending installs with the help of Tabitha Lee in South East Arkansas (Bradley, Lincoln, and Drew Counties)
    10. Language Access and FLA Reports–Ms. Chavez De Oseguera (for information)
      • Language Access
        • To date, a total of 212 translations have been completed and 10 are pending.
        • Language Access Court Project is ongoing
          • Goal: To assess the impact of court translations on appearance rates and fines & fees in the Berryville District Court.
      • Free Legal Answers
        • 548 questions posted this year
        • 443 questions answered
        • 62 questions answered at in person FLA Clinics
        • 4 in person clinics (Fayetteville, Lowell, and Little Rock)
        • 1 up coming in person clinic with Entergy and other state FLA programs, commemorating pro bono week (tentatively 10/24/2025)
        • Upcoming FLA Clinics via Zoom
          • August 8, August 22 and September 5, from 12 -1. Register here.
    11. Next Meeting Date: November 7, 2025
    12. Meeting Adjourned